"High Man on the Totem Pole" begins with Gilligan finding a totem pole made by the fierce Kupakai tribe, topped by a third head that bears a striking resemblance to himself. Before long he starts believing that he's descended from head hunters, and chops off the offending head so he doesn't have to look at it. The Professor solves this dilemma by literally putting his head on the chopping block, soft hearted Gilligan unwilling to claim his trophy. Unfortunately, three actual head hunters find the desecrated totem pole and vow death to those who violated their long dead king. The castaways were always easy targets for capture, but it must be said that with so many blades being sharpened their peril looks quite perilous, Gilligan's likeness their only hope.
2 Reviews
Gilligan heads off disaster.
Ralphkram2 October 2018
This episode really serves as a good companion piece to Topsy Turvy. Both are entertaining dramatically, have hit-or-miss humor, are a good showcase for our lead, and come complete with three headhunters.
On a trek through the jungle, Gilligan and the Skipper discover a native totem pole. Atop the pole is a head that bears a striking resemblance to the first mate. The Professor needs just a glance to determine the pole was carved by the Kupakai tribe and the head is Mashuka, their god.
In a faint nod to Up At Bat, Gilligan obsesses over being the descendent in a long line of headhunters and having Kupakai blood. Unlike that earlier episode, however, his obsession doesn't lead to a memorable dream sequence or even any good physical comedy; he just stares at the pole.
There are bits where the others try to take Gilligan's mind off his morbid fascination with Mashuka. The Howells have him chauffer them in that coconut-and-bamboo car, which ends in a crash and a lot of lame puns. Glamorous Ginger with her shapely figure isn't able to distract him either. His obsession comes to a head when the Professor, in the best scene in the episode, offers himself as Gilligan's first victim. It is a good character moment for both as it shows the Professor's faith in our lead and Gilligan's good-heartedness. Gilligan's decision to spare him brings that plot point to a satisfying end.
He does, however, try to end his fixation by chopping off the head, causing the next plot point to pop up. Literally, three Kupakai pop up from the bushes; writer Brad Radnitz doesn't bother with a landing scene. This terrible trio finds Mashuka on the ground and swears revenge.
Their revenge is to capture the castaways in more or less the standard order with little fuss. The hapless Howells are snatched first, and their usual bribery shtick ends with them tied to a tree. At least the Skip has a brief, heroic moment as he goes down.
To save them, the Professor has our lead dress up as Mashuka to order the Kupakai to free their captives. (At least this time it makes sense for Gilligan to be the focus of his plan, given his likeness to the Kupakai leader). The bit where the Professor, who is familiar with every native tongue, tries to teach him those three little words of Kupakai is iconic and pretty funny. It takes just a blink of an eye to transform him into a savage (thanks to the wardrobe department).
Of course, since the plan involves Gilligan, it doesn't go smoothly. As he admires himself in the mirror, the others are ambushed. Once again, it's set up for our lead to single-handedly save the day. The dramatics that follow are executed pretty well; predictably, Gilligan nearly bungles everything but, as usual, comes out ahead in the end.
COCONOTES:
One of the funniest straight lines in the series is Gilligan's "Where to, Mr. Howell?" in the coconut car.
"Ah, the redlight district, dear boy, and make it snappy!"
Excellent pan of glamorous Ginger at the totem pole.
Two of the three Kupakai are major league baseball players: Jim Lefebvre of the LA Dodgers and Al Ferrera of the San Diego Padres.
The girls put up so little resistance when they're taken they must have looked ahead in the script.
Where did the Kupakai get their cauldron?
On a trek through the jungle, Gilligan and the Skipper discover a native totem pole. Atop the pole is a head that bears a striking resemblance to the first mate. The Professor needs just a glance to determine the pole was carved by the Kupakai tribe and the head is Mashuka, their god.
In a faint nod to Up At Bat, Gilligan obsesses over being the descendent in a long line of headhunters and having Kupakai blood. Unlike that earlier episode, however, his obsession doesn't lead to a memorable dream sequence or even any good physical comedy; he just stares at the pole.
There are bits where the others try to take Gilligan's mind off his morbid fascination with Mashuka. The Howells have him chauffer them in that coconut-and-bamboo car, which ends in a crash and a lot of lame puns. Glamorous Ginger with her shapely figure isn't able to distract him either. His obsession comes to a head when the Professor, in the best scene in the episode, offers himself as Gilligan's first victim. It is a good character moment for both as it shows the Professor's faith in our lead and Gilligan's good-heartedness. Gilligan's decision to spare him brings that plot point to a satisfying end.
He does, however, try to end his fixation by chopping off the head, causing the next plot point to pop up. Literally, three Kupakai pop up from the bushes; writer Brad Radnitz doesn't bother with a landing scene. This terrible trio finds Mashuka on the ground and swears revenge.
Their revenge is to capture the castaways in more or less the standard order with little fuss. The hapless Howells are snatched first, and their usual bribery shtick ends with them tied to a tree. At least the Skip has a brief, heroic moment as he goes down.
To save them, the Professor has our lead dress up as Mashuka to order the Kupakai to free their captives. (At least this time it makes sense for Gilligan to be the focus of his plan, given his likeness to the Kupakai leader). The bit where the Professor, who is familiar with every native tongue, tries to teach him those three little words of Kupakai is iconic and pretty funny. It takes just a blink of an eye to transform him into a savage (thanks to the wardrobe department).
Of course, since the plan involves Gilligan, it doesn't go smoothly. As he admires himself in the mirror, the others are ambushed. Once again, it's set up for our lead to single-handedly save the day. The dramatics that follow are executed pretty well; predictably, Gilligan nearly bungles everything but, as usual, comes out ahead in the end.
COCONOTES:
One of the funniest straight lines in the series is Gilligan's "Where to, Mr. Howell?" in the coconut car.
"Ah, the redlight district, dear boy, and make it snappy!"
Excellent pan of glamorous Ginger at the totem pole.
Two of the three Kupakai are major league baseball players: Jim Lefebvre of the LA Dodgers and Al Ferrera of the San Diego Padres.
The girls put up so little resistance when they're taken they must have looked ahead in the script.
Where did the Kupakai get their cauldron?
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